TWO knives have been recovered by police investigating the fatal stabbing of a Tamil man from Queensbury.

Victim Akilakumar Kanthasamy, 28, was stabbed in the heart late on Saturday outside the New Horizon Centre, a community centre in Mitcham, south London, where he had been enjoying a family party.

A community meeting held yesterday evening was told of the discovery of the two bladed weapons in connection with the police investigation.

Mr Kanthasamy, who recently celebrated the birth of his nine-month-old son, left Sri Lanka 11 years ago to start a new life in the UK.

After living in south Wales, he moved to Glebe Avenue with his wife Parmita and worked at TK Food and Wine in St Albans in Hertfordshire.

Shop owner Val Paheerathan, said: “Even though he had only been here for two months, Akilakumar was one of the best employees I have ever had.

“I have had a lot of people come to work for me but instantly it was clear he was a very hard-working, trustworthy, family man and, for me, he is simply irreplaceable.

“It is such a waste that someone like him, a friendly, kind young man, has been taken for no reason, when he had so much to live for.

“We are all just so devastated and angry because the saddest thing is his young son has to now grow up without knowing this good man.”

His friend, 45-year-old Balakrishan Srikanthan, of North Wembley, added: “Everyone is absolutely devastated. It is extremely tragic.”

The pair met through the charity Ray of Hope, which links Sri Lankan families in the UK with people in their home country. Mr Kanthasamy had recently volunteered to help the Wembley-based project.

Mr Srikanthan added: “He was very charitable and would do anything for anyone; you could call him at any time.

“He was a very quiet, but very kind, generous and caring man who would always go out of his way for anyone. It’s so sad that his young family have to go through this.”

Naomi Martin, director of the Commonside Community Development Trust, which looks after the New Horizon Centre, added: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mr Kanthasamy’s loved ones and members of the community at this very traumatic time. We are working very closely with the police to encourage witnesses to come forward.”